U.S. Census Bureau to Provide Insight into Nation's Population with Upcoming Data Releases

Commerce's U.S. Census Bureau today hosted a press briefing at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. to provide an update on census operations, detailing the steps required to both process and evaluate the 2010 Census data collected from over 130 million U.S. households. Census Bureau Director Robert Groves explained that the 2010 Census numbers are just one part of a series of data releases coming out in the months ahead that provide information about our nation’s population. On December 6, the Census Bureau will release a set of national population estimates called Demographic Analysis that are based on historical data of births, deaths and estimates of in- and out-migration. Later in December, the Census Bureau will release the first-ever set of five-year American Community Survey (ACS) data. These detailed data are essential to the understanding of our nation and our ability to make informed decisions about the future of our communities. By the end of December, the Census Bureau will release the first 2010 Census data: the total population for the nation and states, and the apportionment counts allocating congressional seats by state. For more information, visit http://2010.census.gov/2010census/

Related

The
U.S. Census Bureau today released its 2010 Demographic Analysis estimates at a
news conference at George
Washington University
– the first of three major Census Bureau releases in December. The data involve
five series of national-level estimates of the population by age, sex, two race
groups (black and non-black) and Hispanic origin (for under age 20).
Demographic Analysis attempts to estimate the national population of 2010 but
uses a very different technique than is used for the 2010 Census.

The U.S. Census
Bureau today released 5-year American Community Survey (ACS) estimates for the
first time, making available social, economic, housing and demographic
statistics for every community in the nation.

Guest blog post by Mark Doms, Under Secretary for Economic
AffairsIn July, Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker
announced that our department will be hiring our first ever Chief Data Officer
(CDO), building on her commitment to Commerce’s role as “America’s Data
Agency.” She also announced the formation of a data advisory council comprising
private sector leaders who will help the CDO navigate new and dynamic data challenges.
This is the latest chapter in Commerce’s long history of adapting to serve the
needs of an ever-changing American economy.
The United States Department of Commerce has been a
trusted provider of data and statistics for centuries. The first decennial census took place in 1790
and the first patent was issued that same year.
Today, because of advances in technology, we are able to provide Americans
with more data, faster and more accurately than ever before. This
transformation can be seen in the evolution of the Census Bureau.
Article 1 Section 3 of the US Constitution states
that the U.S. government shall enumerate the population of the United States
every 10 years. Beginning with the 1790 Decennial Census and once every decade
since then, the federal government has provided this invaluable information,
making the United States the first country to produce a regular count of its
citizens.
By the early 1800s it became clear that in addition
to the important demographic information flowing from the decennial census,
there was also an imperative for regular collection of business information. In
response to that need, in 1810, the U.S. Census Bureau established a census of
businesses, also known as the economic census.
The initial focal points were manufacturing, lumber yards and butcher
shops. In 1902, Congress authorized the establishment of the U.S. Census Bureau
and directed that the census of manufacturers be taken every five years (a
“quinquennial” census). As the economy
grew, the Census Bureau responded accordingly and by 1930 it had expanded the
economic census to include services. The
breadth of the survey has since changed to keep pace with our nation’s growing
economy. The 2012 economic census data
are currently being released.

Cross-post from Random Samplings, the official blog of the U.S. Census BureauThe following blog was written by James B. TreatThe American Community Survey statistics released today provide information for geographies with populations of 65,000 or more on many different topics, including income, poverty and health insurance. While national level statistics on these topics were released earlier this week from the Current Population Survey, many states and communities also rely on getting this information from the American Community Survey.These ACS statistics that cover 2012 will be followed by new releases of statistics from data collected over three- and five-year periods later this year, allowing you to explore these topics for every community in the nation.As the nation’s most comprehensive survey, the American Community Survey is unique in its ability to produce annual statistics on housing, economic and population measures for even the smallest geographic areas and population groups. With today’s release, you can find statistics on a variety of topics including commute times, housing costs, educational attainment and characteristics of veterans.Retailers, homebuilders, police departments, and town and city planners are among the many private- and public-sector decision makers who count on these annual results.Looking at income, poverty and health insurance statistics provided by the American Community Survey helps communities measure their economic well-being as well as plan resource needs, such as allocating funds for food, health care, job training, housing and other assistance programs. For more information on the American Community Survey please visit census.gov/acs.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke joined Acting Deputy Secretary Rebecca Blank
and Census Bureau Director Robert Groves at the National Press Club today to
unveil the official 2010 Census population counts – 10 days before the statutory
deadline of Dec. 31. The nationwide population as of April 1, 2010 was
308,745,538. Locke also announced a final 2010 Census savings of $1.87 billion.

In 2011, the Commerce Department's U.S. Census Bureau continued to provide quality statistics to governments and businesses to inform the decisions that affect everyone’s lives. These statistics touch every aspect of Americans’ lives–health, crime, income, education, labor force participation, housing conditions, consumer expenditures and a host of others.While we have plenty to be proud of, here we highlight some of this year’s big successes.

Cross-post, U.S. Census Bureau's Director's Blog by John H. ThompsonEvery month of every year, and in every county across the nation, a relatively small number of households receive notice that they have been randomly selected to receive the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.The American Community Survey, or ACS, is the lesser known part of the every-ten-year census. To produce more timely statistics between census years, the former “census long form” questions were moved to this rolling survey format after the 2000 Census.Many of the detailed socio-economic and housing questions on the American Community Survey can trace their genesis back to the 19th century, some even earlier. James Madison, Father of the Constitution and fourth U.S. president, ensured that the Constitution authorized Congress to include questions in the census that provided the level of detail needed to effectively govern the new country.“In order to accommodate our laws to the real situation of our constituents,” he explained, “we ought to be acquainted with that situation.”Today, the American Community Survey provides the objective basis for the distribution of more than $400 billion in federal programming decisions. ACS statistics are used by all communities to more clearly plan for investments and services.Quality ACS statistics are dependent on the participation of all households in the survey. The survey takes time to fill out, with more than 70 questions on dozens of topics.

Today, the U.S. Census Bureau released their initial data from the 2010 Census. The nationwide population as of April 1, 2010 was 308,745,538. Secretary Locke also announced a final 2010 Census savings of $1.87 billion.